Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
  • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
  • G16H20/00—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
  • G16H20/30—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
  • A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
  • A61B5/1118—Determining activity level
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/48—Other medical applications
  • A61B5/486—Bio-feedback
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
  • A61B5/6801—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
  • A61B5/6802—Sensor mounted on worn items
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
  • A61B5/6887—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
  • A61B5/6898—Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
  • A63B24/0062—Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
  • G09B19/00—Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
  • G09B19/003—Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
  • H04L67/01—Protocols
  • H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W84/00—Network topologies
  • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
  • A63B2220/17—Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
  • A63B2220/40—Acceleration
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2230/00—Measuring physiological parameters of the user
  • A63B2230/04—Measuring physiological parameters of the user heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
  • A63B2230/045—Measuring physiological parameters of the user heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2230/00—Measuring physiological parameters of the user
  • A63B2230/50—Measuring physiological parameters of the user temperature
  • A63B2230/505—Measuring physiological parameters of the user temperature used as a control parameter for the apparatus

Definitions

• the invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for promoting physical activity, and more specifically to methods and apparatus that encourage physical activity through monitoring and feedback.
• Various embodiments of the present invention provide a system for encouraging physical activity.
• the system comprises devices that monitor a user's activity and give feedback to the user concerning their activity level. More typical embodiments include a plurality of devices, with each device performing one or more roles.
• one device associated with a user includes one or more sensors for monitoring the user's activity. That same device may give the user immediate feedback concerning their activity level, or it may transmit the data to one or more devices for further processing and subsequent feedback. The device receiving the transmissions may itself process the data concerning the user's activity level or it may act as a relay for the data to yet another device that performs that processing.
• the device that ultimately processes the data concerning the user's activity level may provide feedback to the user concerning their activity level or it may transmit the feedback to one or more devices for delivery to the user.
• the device receiving the feedback may itself deliver the feedback to the user or it may act to relay the feedback to yet another device that ultimately delivers the feedback.
• inventions of the present invention provide an activity monitor.
• the activity monitor includes a physiological sensor configured to measure data concerning user activity and a transceiver for wireless communications.
• the transceiver communicates measurements of data concerning user activity to an intermediary device, the intermediary device configured to provide feedback concerning user activity, the feedback concerning user activity selected from the group consisting of changing the appearance of an avatar in response to user activity, changing the set of avatars available for display, and any combination of the foregoing.
• the transceiver is used to determine proximity to a wireless beacon.
• the monitor is configured to be worn by a user.
• the data concerning user activity is selected from the group consisting of heart rate data, temperature data, and pedometer data.
• the feedback concerning user activity is presented in response to the physiological sensor measuring data concerning user activity that indicates the user activity exceeds a specified value.
• inventions of the present invention provide an analytics device for encouraging user activity.
• the device includes a transceiver for receiving communications comprising data concerning user activity, a processor configured to analyze data concerning user activity, and an interface for presenting feedback from the data analysis to a user via an intermediary device, wherein the feedback from the data analysis is selected from the group consisting of a message changing the appearance of an avatar in response to user activity, a message changing the set of avatars available for display, and any combination for the foregoing.
• the communications comprising data concerning user activity are received from an activity monitor via an intermediary device.
• the feedback from data analysis includes an analysis of user location compared against a predetermined route.
• the processor analyzes the data concerning user activity and compares the data against a desired level of user activity before presenting feedback from the data analysis.
• the feedback is presented on a regular basis.
• embodiments of the present invention provide a method of encouraging user activity.
• the method includes receiving communications comprising data concerning user activity obtained from a physiological sensor, analyzing the data concerning user activity, and presenting feedback from the data analysis utilizing an intermediary device, wherein the feedback from the data analysis is selected from the group consisting of a message changing the appearance of an avatar in response to user activity, a message changing the set of avatars available for display, and any combination of the foregoing.
• the feedback from the data analysis is presented to a user on a regular basis.
• the method further comprises presenting a report of user activity.
• the feedback is used to incentivize a user to engage in a certain level of activity.
• the feedback concerns the user's satisfaction of a predetermined set of goals.
• embodiments of the present invention provide an activity monitor.
• the activity monitor includes a physiological sensor configured to measure data concerning user activity and a transceiver for wireless communications, wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit wireless communications comprising data concerning user activity, the wireless communications used to influence the contents of a story presented to the user of the activity monitor.
• the monitor is configured to be worn by a user.
• the wireless communications comprising data concerning user activity are transmitted in response to the physiological sensor measuring data concerning user activity that indicates the user activity exceeds a specified value.
• inventions of the present invention provide an analytics device for encouraging user activity.
• the device includes a transceiver for receiving communications comprising data concerning user activity, a processor configured to analyze data concerning user activity, and an interface for providing a story whose contents vary in response to the results of the data analysis.
• the communications comprising data concerning user activity are received from an activity monitor via an intermediary device.
• the story is presented to a user via an intermediary device.
• the intermediary device is selected from the group consisting of a computer, a smartphone, a tablet, and a gaming console.
• the presentation of the story is contingent on the presence of an intermediary device.
• the processor analyzes the data concerning the user activity and compares the data against a desired level of user activity before presenting the story.
• the story is chosen based at least in part on the data concerning user activity.
• embodiments of the present invention provide a method of encourage user activity.
• the method includes receiving communications comprising data concerning user activity obtained from a physiological sensor, analyzing the data concerning user activity, and providing a story whose contents vary in response to the results of the data analysis.
• the story is presented to a user utilizing an intermediary device.
• the story is only presented when the intermediary device is in communication with a second intermediary device.
• the method further comprises processing a purchase transaction story for later presentation.
• the story is chosen based at least in part on the data concerning user activity.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary system for encouraging user activity in accord with the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the activity monitor 100 of FIG. 1 in accord with one embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the analytics device 104 of FIG. 1 in accord with the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram of another embodiment of the present invention for encouraging user activity.
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart presenting an embodiment of a method for promoting physical activity in accord with the present invention.
• Certain aspects of the present invention include process steps and instructions that could be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, and when embodied in software, could be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by a variety of operating systems.
• the present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the operations herein.
• This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer.
• a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD- ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus.
• the computers referred to in the specification may include a single processor or may be architectures employing multiple processor designs for increased computing capability.
• embodiments of the present invention encourage users (e.g., adults, children, etc.) to engage in physical activity.
• Data concerning the user's activity is collected and analyzed, and various forms of feedback are presented in response to that analysis to encourage the user to undertake physical activity.
• These functions may be provided by a single component or dispersed across a plurality of components, and may utilize a variety of intermediary devices to facilitate communications and presentation.
• FIG. 1 presents one embodiment of the present invention consisting of an activity monitor 100 that communicates with an analytics device 104 via a communications network 108.
• the activity monitor 100 collects data concerning a user's activity and transmits it to the analytics device 104 for analysis and follow-up action.
• the follow-up action includes the display of feedback to a user on the activity monitor 100 to encourage the user to undertake physical activity.
• the follow-up action includes the display of feedback to a user on the activity monitor 100 to encourage the user to undertake physical activity.
• other embodiments of the invention use any number of intermediary devices to convey data to the activity monitor 100 or the analytics device 104, or to provide feedback to the user.
• the activity monitor 100 is typically some form of dedicated device intended to measure user activity, such as a bracelet, a toothbrush, a pendant, an orb, etc., although it may take the form of a general purpose computing device such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a camera-equipped device, a smartphone, or a tablet, etc. As discussed in greater detail below, the activity monitor 100 should either include or be capable of being equipped with various sensing means to permit relevant measurements to be performed measurement of the user's activity. As discussed below, useful sensors include accelerometers, cardiometers, thermometers, pedometers, cameras, etc.
• Various implementations of the analytics device 104 include general purpose computing devices such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, or a tablet, physical server machines such as a locally-hosted server computer, a remotely-hosted server, locally or remotely hosted clusters of servers, a virtual machine hosted by an on-demand computing service such as ELASTIC COMPUTE CLOUD a.k.a. EC2 offered by AMAZON.COM, INC. of Seattle, Washington, etc.
• general purpose computing devices such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, or a tablet
• physical server machines such as a locally-hosted server computer, a remotely-hosted server, locally or remotely hosted clusters of servers, a virtual machine hosted by an on-demand computing service such as ELASTIC COMPUTE CLOUD a.k.a. EC2 offered by AMAZON.COM, INC. of Seattle, Washington, etc.
• the network 108 may be a local area network (LAN) implemented using, e.g., Ethernet or Token Ring technologies, or a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet.
• the network may be a personal area network (PAN) implemented using, e.g., Bluetooth, ZigBee, physical contact, or capacitive contact through a user's body to transmit data from the activity monitor 100 to analytics device 104.
• PAN personal area network
• FIG. 2 describes an exemplary activity monitor 100 in additional detail.
• the activity monitor 100 may be a dedicated device such as a bracelet or an orb containing one or more of the components depicted in FIG. 2 or a general purpose device such as an IPHONE or other smartphone device running a program that collects data concerning user activity as discussed herein.
• the network interface 200 allows the activity monitor 100 to transmit communications to other devices such as the analytics device 104 and, in one embodiment, provides an interface to network 108.
• Suitable network interfaces 200 include gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth, and 3G/4G wireless interfaces such as GSMAVCDMA/LTE that enable data transmissions between activity monitor 100 and other devices such as the analytics device 104.
• a processor 204 generates communications relating to data concerning user activity for transmission through the interface 200 and processes communications received through the interface 200 that originate outside the activity monitor 100.
• a typical processor 204 is an x86, x86-64, or ARMv7 processor, and the like.
• the user interface 208 allows the activity monitor 100 to receive commands from and/or provide feedback to the user; one particular form of feedback involves the use of an avatar, such as a cartoon character or a caricature.
• exemplary user interfaces include graphical displays, physical keyboards, virtual keyboards, etc.
• the data store 212 provides both transient and persistent storage for data received via the interface 200, data processed by the processor 204, data received or sent via the user interface 208 and data concerning user activity measured by one or more sensors 216.
• the activity monitor 100 includes one or more sensors 216 that directly or indirectly monitor a user's activity level.
• an activity monitor 100 shaped like a bracelet or an orb and intended to be worn or carried by a user may include an accelerometer 216 that measures acceleration forces; those measurements may in turn be used by the processor 204 to infer an activity level for the user wearing the bracelet.
• An activity monitor 100 shaped like an orb that is not intended to be carried by a user may include a camera 216 that can capture sequential images of user; those images may in turn be used by the processor 204 to infer an activity level for the user.
• Suitable sensors 216 include accelerometers (single axis or multi-axis), cameras, cardiometers, positioning sensors (e.g., GPS sensors), thermometers, and pedometers. Any of these sensors or any combination thereof may be used in the activity monitor 100.
• the activity monitor 100 may take a variety of forms. It may appear in a variety of attractive colors, and may be configured to be waterproof, shockproof, and easy to keep track of.
• the activity monitor 100 may be powered by replacement batteries, such as those employed by a conventional watch, or it may be rechargeable using, e.g., a micro-USB port interface like a tablet or smartphone.
• FIG. 3 describes the analytics device 104 in additional detail.
• the analytics device 104 can take various forms, physical and virtual, but most implementations will share certain common functionalities.
• the network interface 300 allows the analytics device 104 to receive communications from other devices and, in one embodiment, provides a bidirectional interface to the Internet. Suitable network interfaces 300 include gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), and 3G/4G wireless interfaces such as GSMAVCDMA/LTE that enable data transmissions between analytics device 104 and other devices.
• a processor 304 generates communications for transmission through the interface 300 and processes communications received through the interface 300 that originate outside the analytics device 104.
• a typical processor 304 is an x86, x86-64, or ARMv7 processor, and the like.
• the user interface 308 allows the analytics device 104 to receive commands from and/or provide feedback to an operator. Exemplary user interfaces include graphical displays, physical keyboards, virtual keyboards, etc.
• the data store 312 provides both transient and persistent storage for data received via the interface 300, data processed by the processor 304, and data received or sent via the user interface 308.
• the interface 300 of the analytics device 104 is configured to receive communications from various activity monitors 100 and other intermediary devices.
• the analytics device 104 receives communications from activity monitors 100 such as communications including data concerning user activity or levels of user activity.
• the analytics device 104 in turn may process the received data to calculate daily activity level targets and compare them against various goals, such as a program specifying a level of activity that may vary with time, location, prior goals achieved, etc.
• the analytics device 104 may communicate with the activity monitors 100 and/or other intermediary devices, sending them communications that are intended to encourage user activity.
• Such communications may include laudatory messages or images, or messages intended to cause the activity monitor 100 or an intermediary device to display messages or images, such as images of a cartoon avatar that may be, e.g., performing physical activity, among other images.
• FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the present invention.
• activity monitor 100 collects data concerning user activity and analytics device 104 analyzes the data or derivatives thereof and provides some kind of feedback in response to the analysis, such as recommendations, interventions, or encouragement.
• intermediary devices 400 are included in the overall measurement and feedback process.
• activity monitor 100 may be equipped with a network interface 200 utilizing BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY (BLE) technology that is suited for communications with other BLE-equipped devices, but may not provide direct WAN/Internet connectivity.
• BLE BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY
• activity monitor 100 would establish a BLUETOOTH connection with intermediary device 400, e.g., a computer, smartphone, tablet, etc., that is itself in communication with analytics device 104 through network 108. Having established that connection, the activity monitor 100 may then provide data relating to user activity to the analytics device 104 through network 108 by way of intermediary device 400.
• intermediary device 400 e.g., a computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.
• activity monitor 100 may have a limited user interface 208, for example, an LED, a buzzer, or a vibration system.
• a user interface 208 is incapable of delivering, e.g., video or audio feedback, to a user in possession of the activity monitor 100.
• the analytics device 104 may operate another intermediary device 400', such as a phablet, tablet, smartphone, television, electronic billboard, etc., executing an application or otherwise providing feedback to the user by e.g., interacting with a website in communication with the analytics device 104.
• the intermediary device 400' may be manually or automatically configured on a per-user basis based on, e.g., its proximity relative to the user possessing the activity monitor 100.
• Yet another embodiment may implement the functionality of the analytics device 104 utilizing a plurality of intermediary devices 400.
• one intermediary device may evaluate the user activity data against a predetermined route or set of actions, while one or more intermediary devices 400 operate as a computing cluster to determine various statistics of interest (e.g., mean, maximum value, minimum value, etc.) from the data relating to user activity.
• various statistics of interest e.g., mean, maximum value, minimum value, etc.
• Still other embodiments may use a plurality of intermediary devices 400 using, e.g., one intermediary device 400 to provide feedback and another intermediary device 400' in communication with yet another intermediary device 400 N to establish communications with the analytics device 104.
• activity monitor 100 may lack one or more of the components depicted in FIG. 2. Such choices can be made for economic or design considerations, such as reducing the size or weight of the monitor 100 or increasing its portability. In other embodiments, activity monitor 100 may include the full suite of components depicted in FIG. 2, but the intermediary devices 400 are utilized for convenience or for other desirable reasons.
• one intermediary device 400 in accord with the present invention may be a marble-shaped device (“marble”) that is waterproof, impact resistant, and equipped for wireless communications (e.g., Bluetooth Smart).
• the marble may be made of semi-transparent plastic and include a light, such as an LED, that may glow when the marble is held or placed on a surface.
• the marble may be fabricated in two pieces, such that it includes an upper part, housing operative electronics, and a lower part, housing a battery and other components.
• Still other intermediary devices 400 may include a vibration element and or a speaker to provide feedback.
• the intermediary devices 400 may be a toy or stuffed animal.
• the intermediary device 400 is an entertainment item such as storybook (e.g., an e-book) or a video (e.g., a television, a phablet, etc.).
• the entertainment item may be preloaded with motivational content or configured to load such content on demand.
• an app or other software installed on a computer, smartphone, tablet, or other computing device may be configured to provide a storybook.
• the computer, smartphone, tablet, or other computing device is typically configured to be capable of wireless communication (e.g., BLE).
• the story may be configured to cover a week rhythm or a program rhythm, as discussed in greater detail below.
• the user or a third party can purchase content storybooks via the app or other software for display to the user. If the activity monitor 100 or analytics device 104 determines that the user has achieved his daily activity target, the next part of the storybook can be unlocked for display to the user on the intermediary device 400 or the activity monitor 100, e.g., for reading or delivered as an audio book. Also, the level of the user's activity or the activity pattern can be used to alter the presentation of the story by, e.g., introducing new characters, a new story line, etc. The unlocking of additional content may be conditioned on the proximity of the activity monitor 100 to the intermediary device 400, after which the app or other software reacts and shows an unlocking animation on the screen.
• an intermediary device 400 suited for use with embodiments of the present invention is an action-adventure video game with physical toys and a base.
• the game may include open world creation and story-driven gameplay. Characters, play-sets and other features may be brought into the game using figurines and discs.
• the base is able to communicate with an activity monitor wirelessly, such as via a Bluetooth Smart communication link.
• the base may be connected to a game console via a USB connection. In this way the activity monitor 100 can interact via the base and the game console with the video game. Achieving daily, weekly and multi-weekly activity targets can enable power up, new characters, special moves, etc., in the game.
• the game may be designed to help achieve a multi-week target.
• one method of the present invention for promoting physical activity utilizes a feedback loop.
• a device such as an embodiment of the aforementioned activity monitor, collects data concerning a user's activity (Step 500).
• the data is communicated, sometimes using one or more intermediary devices, to another device, such as an embodiment of the aforementioned analytics device, which performs various operations on the data (Step 504) and, in view of the operations, provides, optionally using one or more intermediary devices, some kind of feedback (Step 508) to the user intended to encourage physical activity by the user.
• This process may be executed over a period of days, weeks, months, etc.
• Some embodiments of the invention provide feedback independent of the received data (e.g., general encouragement or admonishment), while still other embodiments may not provide feedback to a user at all.
• the feedback may take a variety of forms in accord with the present invention.
• the feedback may consist of a cartoon character, avatar, or other figure whose displayed state varies between at least two states, i.e., active or inactive.
• the user's activity or level of activity will be monitored using the device, analyzed, and then used to influence the appearance of the figure such that when the user is active the figure will also be displayed as being active.
• the user when the user is inactive the figure may also be displayed as being inactive.
• the state of the figure can also assume various intermediate states between activity and inactivity, permitting more nuanced user feedback.
• the figure may be displayed on the monitoring device itself, or on one or more intermediate devices, such as a smartphone, tablet, television, etc.
• Other forms of feedback may involve stated goals, images, text, spoken messages, etc.
• the process can be conducted over various and even multiple timeframes.
• one embodiment of the present invention operates on a daily rhythm. If the user becomes more active each day, as measured by the activity monitor or another device, then appropriate feedback may be provided, such as an avatar being depicted as being more active. Other forms of feedback may include a spoken or written statement encouraging the user to be active enough to give the avatar an "active" or “running” appearance.
• Another rhythm which may be used in another embodiment of the present invention or the same embodiment, independent of the daily rhythm or complementing the daily rhythm, is a weekly rhythm.
• a weekly rhythm Each day that a user's activity is sufficient to ensure that the cartoon character avatar gets an "active" or “running” appearance, the avatar will also receive, e.g., a star or other achievement marker.
• the number of markers may be unlimited or limited to a pre-selected value, e.g., seven stars.
• rhythms utilized in various embodiments of the invention are a program rhythm.
• This rhythm can be designed to accommodate intermediate or long term activity goals, such as a 12 week fitness program.
• the program rhythm can vary the avatars displayed in the daily and weekly rhythms and otherwise provide content, rewards, etc. to leverage the user's interest in collecting digital items or otherwise unlocking achievements.
• a new avatar e.g., a new cartoon character
• the goal of the overall program may be for the user to unlock all of the avatars potentially available, or otherwise complete a series of achievements or goals through physical activity.
• each avatar or achievement may be progressively harder to unlock. For example, each new avatar may be more difficult to unlock or bring into a displayed running mode than the previous avatar.
• weeks in a particular program may be progressively more difficult. For example, completing all of achievements in the last week of the program may require significant amounts of user activity.
• the increased level of difficulty may be offset by an increased reward, such as a special avatar (e.g., a gold colored avatar) or achievement.
• one mechanism for encouraging physical activity consists of providing rewards and feedback in various forms to encourage the user to undertake physical activity.
• Other mechanisms to encourage physical activity used in various embodiments of the invention include the withdrawal of the rewards and positive feedback previously rewarded in response to inactivity.
• Still other mechanisms include the delivery of negative feedback, such as financial or other penalties.
• the failure to make progress e.g., by unlocking additional avatars or other achievements
• the failure to wear the activity monitor for a certain amount of time may also be treated as equivalent to inactivity and result in the removal of one or more achievements, the removal of an unlocked avatar, the reversion to an earlier avatar, etc.
• intermediary devices may be used to convey communications between the activity monitor and the analytics device, or otherwise used to provide feedback.
• the foregoing discussion concerning the encouragement of activity may utilize such an intermediary device in connection with daily rhythms, weekly rhythms, program rhythms, etc.
• the marble intermediary device can be used to provide feedback to a user concerning the user's level of physical activity. If the user becomes more active, the marble will, e.g., glow brighter and brighter. If the user reaches his daily activity target, then the marble will, e.g., start to flash ("light party"); the goal will be to make the marble flash every day. This will be a daily rhythm.
• the overall program rhythm can require a user to collect a plurality of colors that can be displayed by the marble. For example, a twelve week rhythm can give a user twelve colors to collect. As discussed above, unlocking a new color in a subsequent week may be progressively more difficult to unlock. Making the marble flash in later weeks of the program may require significant levels of activity. If the user's level of activity declines or ceases, then the marble may flash with less intensity or frequency. If the level of inactivity persists for, e.g., several days, then the marble may revert to a previous color.
• embodiments of the invention are suited to operate with physical activity of all kinds, some embodiments of the invention involve the use of structured or planned activities to encourage physical activity by a user.
• one form of structured activity suited to use with embodiments of the present invention is a game such as a "treasure hunt.”
• the activity monitor will typically include some form of wireless communication facility such as BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY (BLE, and specifically "BLE master” capabilities).
• a defined environment such as a theme park or resort, for example, is configured to contain several "treasures" (i.e., physical objects) or “rally points" (i.e., locations).
• Each physical object or location includes a low-power transmitter that can notify nearby devices of the transmitter's presence.
• One such transmitter may be configured to send out IBEACON information that can be received by a smart phone, tablet, or other computing device.
• a user equipped with an activity monitor or intermediary device can then wander the defined environment searching for physical objects and locations of interest.
• the user's device can identify transmitters within its range and assist the user in finding the associated physical object or location by encouraging the user to move in a direction to reduce the distance between the device and the transmitter. If the user's device is brought within a certain range of the transmitter, e.g., three feet or less, then the user's device or another server can update its records to reflect that the user has collected the "treasure" or visited the location of interest.
• the goal is for the users to visit all of the locations or objects of interest in the defined environment while carrying their device. After reaching this goal, an avatar may be displayed on the user's activity monitor or intermediary device, or other feedback may be provided to the user as discussed above. Because the user will need to exert physical effort as he traverses the defined environment, this may also cause the avatar to have an active appearance, also as discussed above.
• the transmitter at the object or location of interest can collect the unique ID number of the user's activity monitor or intermediary device and use this info for data analytics or individualized feedback, such as an e- mail to the user congratulating them on completing the treasure hunt.
• Embodiments of the present disclosure are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
• the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart.
• two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrent or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
• not all of the blocks shown in any flowchart need to be performed and/or executed. For example, if a given flowchart has five blocks containing functions/acts, it may be the case that only three of the five blocks are performed and/or executed. In this example, any of the three of the five blocks may be performed and/or executed.

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• 2014
  • 2014-10-17 US US15/029,650 patent/US20160228745A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2014-10-17 WO PCT/IB2014/065405 patent/WO2015056234A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-10-17 WO PCT/IB2014/065403 patent/WO2015056233A1/en active Application Filing
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  • 2014-10-17 CN CN201480056816.4A patent/CN105637515A/zh active Pending
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